Early lead important

[DBQR4CY]

Maybe this has been posted already in another thread, but I don't have time to go through all of them.

From the CF articles and interviews NC Central plays some good D and plays the game at a slow pace. That's not helpful for ISU. It will be important for ISU to start the game hot and try to build a 6-8 point lead right out of the gate. It might not scare a slower pace team, but this is a one and done tournament and it could cause NC Central to play at a faster rate to keep up with ISU. A faster pace is an advantage to ISU.

No Big 12 Championship game start for ISU, it needs to start fast and get points on the board asap!

 

[CyStalker]

Late lead most important.

 

[NobodyBeatsCy]

Most points at the end; good.

 

[ThurgoodMarshal]

Late lead most important.

hah I was just about to be the smart *** to say I'd rather have the lead at the very end of the game. Well played CyStalker!

But yes I agree OP. I'd really like for them to come out hot like the beginning of the KU tournament game. NCC isn't a good team to be playing catch-up with.

 

[CycloneErik]

Don't see why. We've had a few comeback wins this year. I won't be too worried if we have a slow start.

 

[jbhtexas]

Don't see why.

Because it's the NCAA tournament, which is a completely different emotional setting than the rest of the year. If you go back over the years and look at the many low-seed/high-seed upsets, you'll be hard-pressed to find one where the underdog came back from a 20-point deficit. Let the underdog hang around, and you significantly increase the chances of him biting you in the arse.

BU today: put the underdog away early and cruise to victory.
OU last night: Let the underdog hang around, and lose when bizarre stuff happens at the end of the game.

 

[CycloneErik]

Because it's the NCAA tournament, which is a completely different emotional setting than the rest of the year. If you go back over the years and look at the many low-seed/high-seed upsets, you'll be hard-pressed to find one where the underdog came back from a 20-point deficit. Let the underdog hang around, and you significantly increase the chances of him biting you in the arse.

BU today: put the underdog away early and cruise to victory.
OU last night: Let the underdog hang around, and lose when bizarre stuff happens at the end of the game.

Oh, I get that, but this team has a pretty unusual propensity for coming back against very good teams. I don't think that should be a problem tonight. Could be, but shouldn't be.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

It would make me very happy to get an early lead and put our foot on the gas and make sure there is no comeback. (Obviously)

But I heard something this week that I thought was a good rule of thumb: An early lead is a false lead.

 

[CyStalker]

Even if we get an early lead, I hope the guys don't lose focus and give the lead up. We have been know to do that some this year. With that said, our guys were as focused as I have ever seen them in the Big XII tournament, so that's encouraging.

 

[CyclOwnd]

Giving them the lead or letting them stay in it late only builds their confidence. You don't want that. I agree OP.

 

[VeloClone]

BU today: put the underdog away early and cruise to victory.
OU last night: Let the underdog hang around, and lose when bizarre stuff happens at the end of the game.

Pffffft! Bizarre stuff never happens to ISU teams.

 

[bos]

Getting a solid early lead can definitely help take some of the fight out. Get them believing its over. A good portion of a game is mental. Thats why I like our team this year, the mental toughness. When they have been down, they keep fighting.

 

[CyStalker]

Getting a solid early lead can definitely help take some of the fight out. Get them believing its over. A good portion of a game is mental. Thats why I like our team this year, the mental toughness. When they have been down, they keep fighting.

Very true, but NC Central is a very senior laden team, which usually means more mental toughness. Such a tough first round, um I mean second round (sorry Hawks) match up.

 

[bos]

Very true, but NC Central is a very senior laden team, which usually means more mental toughness. Such a tough first round, um I mean second round (sorry Hawks) match up.

Yes they do. Hopefully less skilled when it matters the most. Plus 3sus.

 

[CyStalker]

I thinks as long as Niang can stay out of foul trouble, he will be their match up nightmare, but guards that drive as well as they do could cause some fouls down low. Ubber important that our guards stay in front of them.

 

[Cycl1]

I think we should go for that whole winning thing.

 

[atlantacyclone]

I won't be comfortable even with a 20 point lead in the first half. ANYONE can get an early lead on anyone.

 

[dahliaclone]

The entire week I have been worried as all get out about this game and thinking we could be ripe for the upset. Somehow through all these upsets the past day and a half, I am feeling more and more confident. I think we win and win handily.

 

[MLawrence]

No Big 12 Championship game start for ISU, it needs to start fast and get points on the board asap!

I don't know, it seemed to work out okay in the end.

 

[Skyh13]

I hope that ISU comes out with the type of energy and focus that they did against Kansas in the Big XII Tourney. That team was on a mission, and I hope that the fact that it's the dance will have them playing that hard.